Analyzing the Competition for SEO

When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), you quickly realize that it is anything but one-dimensional. In fact, there are many different factors that come together to make up this particular science. When it is operating properly, it has the ability to send a flood of traffic to any website. Having it set up properly requires that you start from the beginning, rather than trying to jump into the middle and try to get fast results (which never works anyway).

One of the factors that can make a difference in the success of your optimization efforts is competition analysis. In fact, analyzing the competition is one of the best things that you can do in order to improve your results and to get started on the right foot. It is also a process that does not stop, just because you gain some rankings in the search engines. The following are some of the different ways in which you can apply this principle in your SEO efforts.

Identify the Competition

The first step that needs to be taken when doing any type of competition analysis is to identify the competition. You may feel as if you have a pretty good grip on this subject but don’t be surprised if you uncover some hidden competitors that you had never even considered before. This may include various websites in your industry as well as long-term competitor websites. In addition, you will find many search competitors that may be clinging to the top of the search engines.

From those different potential competitors in your industry, you will find the potential competitors that need to be weeded out for SEO blog purposes. Once you are able to identify those that are players in the search engine optimization field, you have a much better idea of where you need to take things from there.

Validate the Competition

Another factor to consider for competition analysis is validation. Not every competitor is going to rank well in the search engines and some are going to rank for specific keywords but not all of the keywords in the field. That is why it is important to check the rankings of various keywords and compare them with the rankings of any keywords for your company.

Doing this validation process allows you to target the specific competitors that are in the same exact niches as you. These are not just your business competitors, they are the SEO competitors that can keep you from seeing all of the success that you desire. Once you have this process done, you can then expand on the keywords to identify additional competitors and to find some things you may have missed.

Compare Yourself with Others

Compare Yourself with Others is important to compare your own business with your competition as far as keywords, content and pages are concerned. Go through each of these with a fine tooth comb and then you will see the data that is necessary to truly discern the Competition and what must be done to outrank them.

Content Analysis

It has often been said that content is King and this true statement is even truer today. If you don’t have good content on your website, you are really leaving a lot of money on the table. Not only does good content provide the words that will help you to rank when you are spidered by the search engines, it will also keep people on your page longer and reduce your bounce rate. Those are factors that can really make a difference in your rankings.

Rather than just being satisfied with mediocre content, always push the envelope with the highest quality content you could possibly write. If you don’t have the ability to write it yourself, have somebody else write it for you. In doing so, you can fill in any gaps that are left by the competition as far as content and keywords are concerned. It really can make a difference in your level of success.

Regular content is also another key that can make a difference in your rankings. Study your competition and analyze how often they are posting to their website. Always aim for something a little higher because it will help you to outrank them.

Target Your Keywords

Now that you have an idea of your competition and how they are breaking in the search engines, you can target the keywords that you would like to rank for in the search engines. After this process has taken place, you can then move forward by beginning to apply any optimization efforts that you plan on making. This could include filling in the gaps with content, back linking and doing on-site optimization as well. When all of these things together, it can make a difference in your success quite quickly.